Good Friday Crossing

Joining Northern Cross for the crossing of the tidal Pilgrim’s Causeway to Holy Island

Good Friday morning, 29 March 2018.
For those who are interested in walking over the sands with us, you should be aware that our method of crossing has altered in recent years. We will NOT be meeting as a single large group at the sands at one specific time. Instead pilgrims will cross the tidal causeway as individual Leg groups, which will be leaving the foreshore at times to be confirmed. These Leg groups will start Good Friday walking from their overnight halts. If you wish to walk that earlier (mainland) section with us, please book in the usual way by using our contact form.

The Pilgrim’ crossing:Pilgrims will be walking past the Beal Sands Car Park, south of Berwick on Tweed, [coordinates 55.677768,-1.875531, map location as below], (time to be confirmed early in 2018), and pilgrims will start the walking crossing of the tidal sands from this point (time to be confirmed early in 2018).

‘Non-pilgrims’ are certainly welcome to walk with us crossing the sands, but you must either liaise with an individual Leg group (contacts above) or be at Beal Sands ready to join by the ‘departure window’ times listed above at the latest. Due to the new arrangements we are trialling for the 2016 crossing, the pilgrims will not be stopping at Beal Sands carpark to gather as a larger group of all Legs, but will keep on walking directly to the point where they leave the road causeway. In walking the crossing, YOU must accept full responsibility for yourself and any dependents with you, as there are a number of risks: We have a careful risk assessment of the activity, as there are quick sands, it does take a long time, and some years the weather can make it so cold that we have to make sure some people do not get hypothermia! Other years it is warm and sunny and people get sunburnt, but the key is that the mud and quick sands are an issue if children are not kept an eye on.

You must obey the directions of the Northern Cross marshalls (in fluorescent yellow jackets) if choosing to walk with us.

If you are a non-pilgrim, you must accept that you will cross the tidal causeway at your own risk and that you will not be covered by our public liability insurance.

On the good side, if it is a nice day, you should really enjoy it!

Please feel free to stay or return to Lindisfarne over the weekend and join in the Easter services in the various churches.

For press, media and anyone joining us on this day for the Crossing, we have prepared a briefing note for the Good Friday crossing arrangements; click here to download it [PDF]; [timing and arrangements last updated 2017].

Tweets

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